Gaines Group Blog

Tapping the power of the sun? No more utility bills? The Climate Action Alliance of the Valley is sponsoring the second in a series of programs addressing the alternatives to fossil fuels. “Shenandoah Sunshine: Harvesting Solar Power in the Valley,” will be presented Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 from 6-7:30 PM at the Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg.

Is solar power a panacea or a piece of the puzzle? Four local experts will discuss opportunities for small-scale solar power generation in institutions, churches, businesses and homes.

The first speaker, Anthony Smith, President and CEO of Secure Futures, LLC, will speak on “Developing Solar Power at Eastern Mennonite University and Washington and Lee University: Building Power for Solar in Virginia.” Secure Futures of Staunton, VA, specializes in “making clean renewable solar power affordable for colleges, universities and other non-profit institutions.”

James Leaman, the second speaker, is a professor at EMU’s Department of Business and Economics. He is also chair of the Creation Care Council of Parkview Mennonite Church, and has facilitated the acquisition of solar panels for his church. Dr. Leaman will speak about “Photovoltaic Solar for Churches.”

Our third speaker, Charles Hendricks, is a LEED credentialed architect with The Gaines Group, PLC. His firm has been awarded the Best Green Designer award by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network due to their “long commitment to the promotion of green building and sustainable development principles in Central Virginia.” Hendricks will speak on “Business Matters: Solar Photovoltaic That Makes Cents.”

The final speaker is Matthew Huffman, founder of Huffman Electrical Systems of Swoope, VA. He has designed and installed almost 50 solar electric systems for homes, cabins, RVs, etc, over the past seven years. He will offer “A Homeowner’s Guide to the Solar System.”

A short question and answer period will follow the presentations. For more information, write contactcaav@gmail.com .